Spiritual and Psychological Support Sessions in Syria Following the Earthquake that Hit the North of the Antiochian Levant

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the North of the Antiochian Levant, amidst the severe crises that cast a shadow over the Middle East, the Middle East Council of Churches continues to support the people of the region by accompanying them spiritually and psychologically in order to heal their wounds and relieve the daily pressures that surround them.

In this context, the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches implemented a new phase of the Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling Program which sessions were dedicated to Parishes’ ministers and their associates, both ordained and non-ordained, in Syria, who were affected by the repercussions of the earthquake or worked to help and accompany the affected people. Hence, 24 attendees from different Church Families participated in the course, which was held between Sunday 18 and Friday 23 June 2023, at Saint Christophoros Monastery in Saydanya, Syria.

“Let Justice and Peace Flow”

Under the title “Let Justice and Peace Flow” and the symbol of “A Mighty River” from the Biblical text of Amos 5: 24, the Christian family in the Middle East and the world unites to celebrate the “Season of Creation.” A Christian and environmental Season that starts on the 1st of September and ends on the 4th of October yearly, as it invites us to pray and work together to protect our common home.

Monday 5 June 2023 - 4 pm Beirut time

The world and the Middle East will be soon celebrating an annual Christian and environmental which is the "Season of Creation". This season, which extends between September 1 and October 4 of each year, was launched by the Middle East Council of Churches for the first time in the Middle East in 2021. As for this year, the season bears the title “Let Justice and Peace Flow” based on the biblical text about the “Mighty River” (Amos 5: 24).

In preparation for the celebrating this annual season, let us participate together, by clicking here, in the international launching ceremony of the "Season of Creation" for this year, during a webinar that will be held, with the organization of the Laudato'Si movement, on Monday 5 June 2023, at 4:00 pm Beirut time. Noting that June 5 is also the World Environment Day.

Youth Bringing Life Back to the Heart of Nature

MECC Implements a Forestation Campaign in Al Wassieh, Jordan

Since the Middle East Council of Churches launched the “Forestation Days” project as part of the “Season of Creation” program, the Council has been keen to enhance environmental knowledge and green culture, especially among youth in the region. Hence, MECC aims at highlighting the youth’s role towards God’s creation and motivating them to work for the preservation of the environment and the common home in which we all live.

Thus, the Middle East Council of Churches pursues its environmental activities through a new forestation campaign implemented in Jordan, specifically in the Latin Patriarchate High School in Al Wassieh, on Saturday 25 March 2023. It was organized in coordination with His Eminence Bishop Jamal Khader, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, and in partnership with the humanitarian international organization “Danmission”.

MECC Implements an Afforestation Campaign in Kfar Falous, Lebanon

Together for a Safer Home!

With the aim of enhancing environmental awareness and working to protect nature and God's creation, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its green activities with the Ecumenical youth in various countries of the Middle East. Thus, MECC implemented a new forestation campaign, in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization "Danmission", in Kfar Falous region in Lebanon, under the slogan "Plant a tree that will protect ten trees", on Saturday 18 March 2023, with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elie Haddad of the Greek Catholic Melkite Diocese of Sidon and Deir El-Qamar.

A Forestation Campaign in Mahrada, Syria, with MECC

Together for a Green Environment!

Amidst all the dangers that threaten the environment and human life today, it is necessary to enhance environmental awareness and increase green activities with the aim to build a better future and a more sustainable environment. Hence, and as part of the "Season of Creation" program, the Middle East Council of Churches works with the youth in various countries of the Middle East in order to achieve the desired goals through environmental awareness and activities.

Within its ecological mission, the Middle East Council of Churches organized, with the support of the humanitarian international organization “Danmission”, a forestation campaign in the Mahrada region in Syria, as part of the “Forestation Days” project, on Saturday 11 March 2023. Participants were 50 young women and men from the Church accompanied by Father Elias Najjar and Reverend Maan Bachour.

Spiritual and Psychological Support Sessions in Lebanon for Parishes’ Ministers and their Associates from Various Churches of the Middle East

As part of strengthening the spiritual and psychological accompaniment amidst the difficult living conditions that the region’s people are passing through due to the different deepening crises casting a shadow on them, the Middle East Council of Churches continues to implement the Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling Program. It is organized through various sessions aiming at training Parishes’ ministers to help people overcome the daily challenges with great hope and deep faith.

Hence, and under the title of “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6: 31), the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department implemented the second phase of the program, which sessions were dedicated to Parishes’ ministers and their associates from the Middle Eastern countries. It was held with the participation of 28 attendees from different Church Families, between Sunday 12 and Saturday 18 February 2023, at the St. Augustine Center in Kafra region, Lebanon.

of the Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling Program

for Parishes’ Ministers and their Associates in Kafra, Lebanon:

Strengthening the Spiritual and Psychological Accompaniment is Needed Amidst the Various Crises

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, visited, on Thursday 16 February 2023, the participants of the second phase of the Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling Program, which is being implemented by the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, for Parishes’ ministers and their associates from the Middle Eastern countries, under the title of “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6: 31). The program is being held with the participation of 28 attendees from various Church Families, between Sunday 12 and Saturday 18 February 2023, at the St. Augustine Center in Kafra region, Lebanon.

An Ecumenical Gathering Bringing Together Parishes’ Ministers and their Associates from the Middle Eastern Countries

Under the title “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6: 31), the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches is organizing the second phase of the Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling Program, for Parishes’ ministers and their associates from the Middle Eastern countries. Attendees are 28 participants from different Church Families, and the program is being held between Sunday 12 and Saturday 18 February 2023, at the St. Augustine Center in Kafra region, Lebanon.

With the beginning of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2023, let us unite together in Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, carrying in our hearts and deed this year’s theme “Do good; seek justice” (Isaiah 1:17).

You can find in Arabic the Prayer for Christian Unity.

The “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2023 starts with a hope towards a desired and awaited unity since decades. It is a week which includes 8 daily Prayers and extends between 18 and 25 January every year. We unite in Prayer, reflection, and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. But what does the date of the Week of Prayer symbolize?

In the video, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches Father Dr. Antoine Al-Ahmar explains the significance and meanings of 18 and 25 January.